BRING THAT WEEK BACK: WEEK OF AUG. 9

50 Cent Becomes A Bone Marrow Donor

50 Cent and his G-unit bandmate Tony Yayo have registered to become bone marrow donors in the name of the Shannon Tavarez cause. Eleven-year-old Tavarez, who once starred as Nala in Broadway’s “Lion King,” has suffered from leukemia and waits desperately for a bone marrow transplant. 50 and Yayo follow singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna, who have already become donors to help others battling leukemia.

 

 

 

 

Fantasia Hospitalized

Overdosing on “aspirin and a sleep aid,” singer Fantasia Barrino was rushed to a hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. On that same day, Barrino responded to a court complaint filed by a woman who claims the singer engaged in an affair with her now-ex-husband, Antwaun Cook. To this issue, Barrino is “heartbroken and is sorry for any pain she may have caused,” says her manager. 

 

 

 

Gucci Mane Walks Out Of Interview

On the set of Virginia’s Power 92.1, Gucci walked out of the studio 20 seconds before going on the air. A Plus, the DJ interviewing at the time of the incident, believes it was a response to a question about Waka Flocka. DJ A Plus was left to explain the incident to anxious listeners, even so, there has already been speculation of tension between the two friends after Gucci dropped Flocka’s mom as his manager.

 

 

 

 

Jay-Z Memoir Coming In November

Rapper and businessman Jay-Z has announced that his autobiography is set to be released on November 16, 2010. The rap mogul partnered up with former Source magazine editor Dream Hampton to create the 336-page book that will be part memoir and part dialogue of his lyrics. Jay-Z broke it down for Rolling Stone magazine: “It’s not anything I haven’t said in the past, in songs. It’s just more detailed. A song is three minutes long."

 

 

 

Lil' Kim is New Face Of Three Olives Vodka

Three Olives Vodka has released its Purple alcohol and asked rapper Lil Kim to be the first celebrity to endorse it. There hasn’t been any further word on Lil Kim’s beef with Nicki Minaj or even if she plans to drop an album, nonetheless she appears in Purple vodka’s newest ads. “Since I'm Queen Bee and purple is the color of royalty, I'm thrilled Three Olives has asked me to bring my flavor to the sexy 'O-Face' campaign for their new Purple vodka.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obama Welcomes Super Bowl Champs

The Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints were welcomed to the White House on Monday by President Obama. Despite his allegiance to the Chicago Bears, Obama pointed out that the Saints winning the title was big for the country. “Look, I’m a Bears fan,” Obama said. “I’m not going to lie. But this was a big win for the country -- not just for New Orleans -- because five years ago, this team played its entire season on the road. It didn’t have a home field.”

 

 

 

 

Obama Administration To Pass Housing Package

Coming to the rescue of unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure, the Obama administration plans to provide $3 billion in aid. According to the Treasury Department, $2 billion will be sent to 17 states with the highest unemployment rates, and an additional $1 billion will be used to fund a new program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This program should provide homeowners with zero-interest rate emergency loans of up to $500,000 for up to two years. 

 

 

 

 

Kanye West Compares Himself To Emmett Till

According to the Louis Vuitton Don, the backlash he experienced after his VMA incident with Taylor Swift was worthy of being compared to Emmett Till’s death. On NYC’s Hot 97 radio station while debuting his newest song, “See Me Now,” West declared that the aftermath of last year’s Swift ‘strong arm’ incident was like the “modern day Internet version of Emmett Till. “ Even so, Till paid the price of a mistake with his life.

 

 

 

 

Nelly to Become St. Louis Radio Personality

Nelly will take a brief hiatus from the rap game to become St. Louis’ newest radio host. Filling in for radio personality Staci Static, Nelly will be on air weekdays from 3 to 7 pm local time. The rapper and CEO of Derrty Entertainment record label, will take charge of celebrity interviews, but will only hold the spot for about a month.